Executive Transactions

Queensland Rugby League Chair JOHN MCDONALD will retire from his post at the end of the year. McDonald informed the QRL Board last weekend that he would not be seeking re-election at the annual general meeting in December. QRL CEO ROBERT MOORE paid tribute to McDonald by saying, "John has been a true servant of the rugby league code, at all levels of the game" (QRL). In Brisbane, Steve Ricketts wrote McDonald is adamant his decision to stand down "has nothing to do with political infighting" in the state organization. McDonald said that he wanted to see the new Australian Rugby League Commission "up and running" before calling it quits and "held no bitterness toward those club officials" who had been working to unseat him in recent years. McDonald said, "There will always be differences of opinion, and that is a healthy situation. I leave with the game in good hands with the commission in place" (COURIER MAIL, 9/27). ... German 2nd Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli "released its Head Coach ANDRE SCHUBERT after Tuesday's 1-0 loss to newly promoted Aalen." St. Pauli has only six points after seven matches, which is good for the 13th spot in the league (BILD, 9/26).